Centerball

ABSTRACT

Centerball is a method of playing a game on a playing field with a ball, allowing opposing teams to attempt to score a goal by putting the ball into the area defined by the playing surface, the two opposing vertical poles, and the crossbar. A score is tallied for each team as goals are made. By determining the highest tally over a predetermined period of time, a winner of the game is determined.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The applicant is unaware of any prior art pertaining to thisapplication.

THE INVENTION

The present invention is a method of playing a game comprised ofproviding an elongated playing court that has a playing surface and hastwo ends, two adjoining sides and a center lined circle. The circle hasa center line parallel to the ends, and is equally divided in area.There are also two vertical poles, each located on the centerline of thecircle and each positioned opposing each other about ⅓ of the distanceinside the circle line up to a distance of five feet. There is acrossbar extending between the vertical poles a predetermined distancefrom the playing surface.

There is a ball provided allowing opposing teams to attempt to score agoal by putting the ball into the area defined by the playing surface,the two opposing vertical poles, and the crossbar. A score is talliedfor each team as goals are made. By determining the highest tally over apredetermined period of time, a winner of the game is determined.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the layout of the field of center ball.

FIG. 2 shows the center circle.

FIG. 3 shows the center circle in relation to the goal.

FIG. 4 shows the side view of the goal.

FIG. 5 shows a full frontal view of the goal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows the field A of center ball 2. The center ball field 4ranges in length from about 30 to 120 yards. The width ranges from about20 to 80 yards. There is a center line 6, center circle 8 and a goalline 10.

When a center ball field 4 is not available outdoors the game can beplayed on a soccer field. For indoor purposes if a center ball field 4is not available it can be played on a basketball court.

The center ball field 4 is also modified to accommodate different agegroups. The specifications for each age level are as follows. For U6-U7the field is 4 is 20 yards wide and 30 yards long with a circle 8 radiusof three yards or nine feet. For U8 the field 4 is 25 yards wide and 35yards long with a center circle 8 radius of 3+ yards or ten feet. For U9the field 4 is 30 yards wide and 45 yards long with a center circle 3radius of 4 yards or twelve feet. For U10 the field 4 is 40 yards wideand 60 yards long with a center circle 8 radius of 8 yards or 24 feet.For U11 the field 4 is 50 yards wide and 80 yards long with a centercircle 8 radius of 10 yards or 30 feet. For U12 the field 4 is 55 yardswide and 100 yards long with a center circle 8 radius of 10 or 30 yards.For U13 the field 4 is 60 yards wide and 100-110 yards long with acenter circle 8 radius of 10 yards. For adult the field 4 is 70 yardswide and 110 to 120 yards long with a center circle 8 radius of 10 yardsor 30 feet. For international play the field 4 is 80 yards wide and 120yards long with a center circle 8 radius of 10 yards or 30 feet.

FIG. 2 shows the center circle 8. The center line 6 splits the field 4and center circle 8 into equal halves. Within the center circle 8 thecenter line splits the center circle 8 into equal halves, and the centerline 6 within the center circle 8 is divided into equal thirds. Thecenter third is the goal line 10. The goal 12 consists of two verticalposts 14 and 16 and a horizontal cross bar 18. The center line 6 portionthat is the goal line 10 in combination with the first vertical post 14,the second vertical post 16 and the crossbar 18 create a rectangle goal12. The center circle 8 is also referred to as the goal area 8.

The width and length of the field 4 creates a perimeter 20 that has arectangular shape, this rectangular shape 20 forms the out-of-boundslines 22. This perimeter 20 is also known as outer perimeter 20 or outof bounds 22.

The rest of the field 4 is open, except for the out of bounds lines 22and the center circle 8 and goal 12. The goal 12 is in the center circle8 and consists of two different goals 12, half the circle represents oneteam goal 12, while the other half of the circle represents the otherteam goal 12.

FIG. 3 shows the center circle 8 in relation to the goal 12. The goalarea 8 is a circle at the center of the field 4, on a soccer field itwould be the circle at the center of the soccer field. This circle 8 isdivided by the center line 6 which not only divides the center circle 8in half but the field 4 as well whatever size field 4 of play is beingused. This center line 6 is also known as the dividing line 6.

Each team has one half of the center circle 8 as their respective goal12. Only the goalie for each team can enter at their respective goalarea 8. So only the goalie has access to their respective goal area 8and no others.

FIG. 4 shows the side view of the goal 12. The first vertical post 14shows the side of the goal 12.

FIG. 5 shows a full frontal view of the goal 12. The first 14 and secondvertical post 16, crossbar 18 and goal line 10 form a rectangle shapearea that is the goal 12. This rectangular area or goal 12 acts like abarrier, or pane of glass, wherein once the ball crosses thisrectangular area over the goal line 10 and past the first and secondvertical post 14, 16 and the horizontal crossbar 18, it is considered agoal.

The goal 12 is always the same. It consists of the center one third ofthe distance of the center line 6 within the center circle 8 regardlessof the center circle 8 radius. Goal 12 dimensions are as follows. U6through U8 goal 12 is one yard or three feet wide and five feet high. U9goal 12 is 1.33 yards of four feet wide and five feet high. U10 goal 12is 2.66 yards of eight feet wide and five feet high. All remaining goals12 are 3.33 yards or 10 feet wide and five feet high.

The outer perimeter 20 also forms the out of bounds line 22 whichresults in loss of possession for the team that last touched the ball.

For purposes of the game of center ball the ball size is similar to thatof a soccer ball. For adults that would be represented by a #3 soccerball in size and density. For all others it would be represented by thesize and density of the #2 soccer ball.

For the purposes of the game of center ball, the player equipment wouldconsist of shorts, jersey, cleated shoes, socks and shin guards foroutdoor field player. Goalies would be essentially outfitted with thesame attire with the addition of gloves. Indoor players would berequired to wear indoor footwear.

Officiating of the game of center ball for each game requires one headreferee with two supporting referees to help maintain fairness with theplay of the game. The construction of the referee positions are asfollows. The head referee makes decisions and reports regarding conducton the field 4 with the players and coaches. When penalties occur thehead referee, with his supporting referees have the authority to stopplay. The head referee alone has the responsibility and authority tointerpret and apply the rules of conduct on the field 4. Although thehead referee has the authority to interpret the rules on the field 4that authority can be challenged by the consent of the coaches of bothteams in agreement with each other.

The supporting referees will be designated a certain area of the field 4to referee from. They are to know the rules, the conduct, and guidelinesof the game. They have the authority to stop play if they believe apenalty has been committed. The supporting referees are required toreport what they hear and see and what they believe to be a penalty tothe head referee so that a judgement, of whether or not the activitieswitnessed on the field 4 of play was a violation of the rules, can bedetermined by the head referee.

The responsibility of the referees is to accomplish the goal 12 ofmaintaining proper interpretation, enforcement of the rules, and toadminister fair and safe play. The responsibilities also include thefollowing. The referee must exercise mature and unbiased judgment inevaluating each situation, not showing favoritism to any one or moreplayer or players and or teams. A referee must replay when a judgmentregarding a penalty cannot be made. The referee must provide playerswith balls. The referee must call the ball and players “out” when the“out of bounds” line 22 has been crossed. The referee must handle thetemperaments of the game by exercising their authority to give warnings,technical, and or finally ejection from the game. The referee mustdetermine whether any appeals are valid and to judge them accordingly.

There are only two teams that can play each other on the field 4 at anygiven time. Each team has a maximum of eighteen players. The maximumnumber of players on the field 4 per team is six. Each team may chooseone of their players as a captain. Each team can only have up to onegoalie on the field 4 during play. No team is required to have a goalieon the field 4 during play. The goalie can foe pulled at any time duringthe game and replaced with any other player of any position. Otherpersonal on a team may include a team manager, one assistant manager, upto three coaches, medical and trainers.

The player positions are as follows; each team will provide thefollowing players to fill each of the following positions. The center,which is one player is responsible for directing the players in theoffensive and defensive zones. The goalie which is one player isresponsible for protecting the goal area 8. The goalie is the onlyplayer with the privilege of entering in and out of the team's half ofthe center circle 8 area during play. The left and right wing forwardswhich there are two players are responsible for strategizing play in theoffensive zone. Though the offensive wings may help the defense when theball is in the defensive zone they are primarily trained for offensiveplay. The left and right guards which there are two are responsible forstrategizing and play in the defensive zone. Though the defensive wingsmay help the offense when the ball is in the offensive zone they areprimarily trained for defensive play. The captain is chosen by the teammanager from any of the players. The captain's responsibilities aredefined by the team manager. However, they will typically consist ofleading the team on and off the field 4 from the player position.Typically, the captain of the team will be the center.

The guidelines and rules of conduct are as follows. The game time foreach game including stoppage time, lasts roughly one to two hours. Thegame consists of two halves. Each half lasts ten, twenty, thirty orforty minutes. At the end of each half the teams change ends of thefield 4. This means the goalies will defend the other half of thecircle. Each time there is a foul or a time out the game clock will stopuntil the head referee signals the teams to resume play of the game. Thegame times per age are recommended as follows. Juniors will play tenminute halves. Non-professional adults will play twenty minute halves.Semi-professional adults will play thirty minute halves. Professionaladults will play forty minute halves.

The starting of the game starts by choosing sides of the field 4. Thevisiting team will choose which side they wish to defend to start thegame. After field 4 sides are chosen both teams will proceed to theirdesignated lots next to the field 4 of play. The coaches will preparethe team in selecting starters. Then each team will prepare for thethrow. Once teams are prepared referee will facilitate the executing ofthe throw. After the throw the game will have officially begun.

The possession of the ball will be determined by the jump. The goalieswill jump for the possession of the ball in the center circle 8. For thejump to occur all of the players and referees must position themselvesin their proper places and follow a certain procedure. This placementand procedure is as follows. The goalies will stand in their half of thecenter circle 8 facing each other across the center line 6 on theoutside of one of the vertical goal bars 14 and 16.

The remaining players position themselves at certain outer points of thecenter circle 8. They will place themselves according to their positionsno closer than an arm's length from his counterpart on the other team,meaning that for example offensive wing next to a defensive wing. Thecenter takes a different position, meaning they are free to placethemselves as they wish on the field 4. The placements are as follows,right forwards and guards must be placed on the right side of thedefensive zone while the other on the left side of the defensive zone.The left wing forward and guards must place themselves on the right sideof the offensive zone while the other on the left side of the offensivezone. The center may be freely placed wherever they see fit so as longas they are no closer than one arm's length from the other players.

Once the remaining players have placed themselves they may not moveuntil after the ball has been thrown up for the jump. The referee willstand where the line for the circle meets the center line 6 with theball in hand. The referee will cue the players with the word “ready”indicating that the referee is going to toss the ball. Any player thatmoves will be penalized since the toss is about to take place. Illegalmovement will result in loss of possession. The referee will toss theball above the player's heads. When the ball leaves the referees handthe goalies will jump. Then all players are allowed to move. But if anyplayer hinders the movement of another player they will be penalized.Interference during a jump ball results in loss of possession. When thegoalies jump they may catch the ball for themselves or swat the ballover to another player. The goalies may not score from inside thecircle. Scoring must occur outside of the circle. Any player or goalieattempting to score inside of the center circle 8, whether intentionalor unintentional will result in penalty. Illegal movement from a scoringattempt within the center circle 8 will result in loss of possession.

Player substitution is allowed meaning player changes must conform withthe rules of substitution. Any breach of the substitution rules willresult in penalty. Illegal substitution of team in possession willresult in the breaching team losing possession. Illegal substitution ofteam not in possession will receive one warning per half a secondviolation will result in the loss of one player for one minute.Disengagement means the player being substituted must first disengagewith play and go to the out of bounds line 22 where his team resides.Before an entering player can take the field 4 the disengaged playermust tag or slap the hand of the entering player in order for thatplayer to enter the field 4 of play. The disengaging player cannot beconsidered disengaged until the tag. The tag is a necessary incompleting the substitution.

There is a protocol for the substituting of a player. The substitutingplayer leaving the field 4 of play must be waiting for the player he issubstituting at least one foot from the out of bounds lines 22 and mustmake the tag before stepping onto the field 4.

Conduct for the players on the field 4 is as follows. Players on thefield 4 may not touch one another on the field 4 with the intent todisrupt movement during play. Touching another player with the intentionof disrupting a play is called interference and will be penalizedaccordingly. Player on player interference results in loss of possessionif the team has possession. If the team is not in possession, a firsttime penalty results in one warning per half. A second interference perhalf results in one minute with one man down. Player against handlerinterference, first infraction, results in one warning per half, thesecond time results in one-minute man down in a non-scoring attempt.Player against goalie interference results in loss of possession, whenpossessing the ball. First time is a warning per half, a second timeresults in one-minute man down if the ball is not in possession.

Conduct off of the field 4. All players are to act respectfully duringall time stops and conduct themselves according to the manner of thetime stop. During the penalties and timeouts players are allowed toeither stay on the field 4 or go to their team area for changes inpersonal. There may be certain circumstances wherein the players mustvacate the field 4 of play. The directive for vacating the field 4 maybe given by the referee or other persons with the proper authorization.Regardless, misconduct during time stoppage may result in a warning orejection.

All players may touch the ball and try to snatch the ball from the ballhandler, however, they must do so without touching the ball handler. Ifthe player touches the ball handler, they are to be penalized. When theinterference is against the ball handler in a non-scoring attempt, firsttime, is a warning and the second time results in one minute one mandown. Interference with a player against the ball handler in a scoringattempt, five second one shot one on one with the goalie.

Player conduct around the goal area 8. All players, except the goalie,may not enter the goalie area or the center circle 8. If they step intothe center circle 8 they will receive a penalty. When there is a goalLine 10 violation the team with possession, they lose possession. Whenthere is a goal line 10 violation for the team that does not havepossession, the first time is a warning per half. The second timeresults in one minute one man down.

No player is allowed to make a play on the ball when it is inside thegoalie area. Even if the goalie has the ball in the center circle 8 noplayer is allowed to reach into the goalie box and make a play. If aplayer interferes with the goalies attempt to play the ball the playerwill be penalized. Interference by a player against the goalie team withpossession means loss of possession. Interference with a player againstthe goalie without possession results in a warning for the firstinfraction per half, the second infraction results in one minute withone man down.

Player conduct with the goalie outside the goalie area is as follows. Ifthe goalie steps outside of the goalie area, he is to be treated as anyother player on the court. No player is to interfere if the goalie isoutside the goalie area and attempting to return to his half of thecenter circle 8. If any player interferes with the goalies attempt toreturn to the goalie area that player will be penalized. Interference ofa player against the goalie if player's team has possession results inloss of possession. Interference of a player against the goalie when theplayer does not have possession results in a warning the first time perhalf, the second interference results in one-minute man down.

Ball handling is conducted as follows. The players are allowed to handlethe ball with their hands, feet, arms, legs, head and body. Legalmovement with the ball occurs upon touching the ball the players areallowed to move with the ball. If they are not in motion when they touchthe ball then they may, up to eight seconds, remain stationary and themove with the ball without penalty and receive the final stoppage timeof eight seconds after that movement. If they are in motion when theyreceive the ball they may remain in motion, but when they stop they willbe required to pass or shoot the ball in eight seconds or receive apenalty. A time violation of holding the ball to long results in loss ofpossession.

Stopping with the ball, if the player stops after moving with the ballthey may not move again and must either pass or shoot the ball withineight seconds or receive a penalty. To stop with the ball in possessionis to have both feet planted, without movement, for one second. When aplayer stops the referee is to signal the player with the ball that theplayer is not to move with the ball anymore and is now limited topassing or scoring with the ball in an eight second time frame for themoment they stop. Holding the ball too long results in loss ofpossession.

Illegal movement with the ball occurs when the ball handler, whilemoving with the ball stops and moves again. This results in loss ofpossession. Other illegal activities with the ball involve things suchas, throwing not passing the ball to another player with the intentionof hurting them. Those that commit these activities will be penalizedaccordingly as misconduct. Illegal movement, moving twice with the ballresults in loss of possession.

Ball handling with the goalie and other players is as follows. The ballhandler is not allowed to interfere with the goalie whether they are inor not in the goalie area nor are they allowed to interfere with themovement of other players. If the ball handler interferes with thegoalie or other players, they will receive a penalty. This interferenceof ball handler against the goalie results in loss of possession.

The goalie and the goal area 8 and conduct of the goalie with otherplayers is as follows. The goalie is not to interfere with any otherplayers including the ball handler. Interference with any of the otherplayers by the ball handler will result in a penalty. Interference ofthe goalie against another player results in loss of possession if theteam has possession. If they do not have possession, then the firstinfraction is one warning per half. A second infraction per half resultsone minute with a man down. If the infraction occurs during a scoringattempt the penalty is a five second one on one, one shot with thegoalie. The goalie is allowed to play the ball like any other player.The goalie may play inside or outside the goalie area at will. The goalarea 8 will be used for the starting of the game and dual possession.

Scoring is as follows. A point is awarded to a team when a player causesthe ball to pass through the goal 12 in a legal way. A legal score islegal when the player puts the ball between the goalie poles withoutinterfering with the movement of any other players, without crossing anyof the out of bounds lines 22, without double movement and withoutcrossing over into the goalie area. One point is awarded per score. If aplayer interferes with another player attempt to put the ball into thegoal 12 for a score the referee will whistle the play to stop on theaccount of the interference, order the players to their respectivesections alongside of the field 4. Then allow the player who was fouledeight seconds for one attempt to score a goal. The player may move andattempt to score from any legal position against the goalie. After eightseconds regardless of whether the player has attempted to score with theball, the penalty scoring chance will end and the referee will signalthis with the whistle. Then the game will resume with full teams on thefield 4. No player, including the goalie, may try to score inside thecenter circle 8 or in the out of bounds area 22. All scoring attemptsmust originate in the field. 4 of play in bounds and not in the centercircle 8 or out of bounds lines 22.

Ball possession sifter scoring is as follows. After scoring the teamthat was scored on will receive the ball and throw it inbounds fromtheir end of the court. They have eight seconds to put the ball intoplay or receive a penalty. This time violation for holding the ball toolong results in loss of possession.

Out of bounds is as follows. All out of bounds lines 22 for the soccerfield 4 apply to Centerball 2. The team that touches the ball lastbefore going out of bounds 22 is penalized. The team taking overpossession of the ball will put the ball back into play from the pointthe ball went out of bounds 22. They have eight seconds to put the ballinto play or receive a penalty. The ball can be thrown or kicked intoplay. Out of bounds 22 means the team that last touched the ball beforeleaving the field 4 of play has a loss of possession.

Dual possession occurs if two players clutch or grab the ball at thesame time it is the referee's responsibility to call for dualpossession. When there is a dual possession the referee will apply thesame procedure for starting the game to settle the dual possessiondispute.

Time stops during the game are as follows. Each team will receive threetime outs per half. Each time the referee blows the whistle for apenalty the game clock should stop. After the penalty has beendetermined, announced, executed, and teams ready to begin play again thetime will commence once the referee blows the whistle to indicate it.Injury time outs are as follows. Whenever there is an injury thereferees will blow the whistle and announce an injury. When the whistleblows the game clock will stop. Once the injured player is taken off thefield 4, or has proven healthy and decides to continue to play, thereferee will check to see if the teams are ready to resume play again.Once they are ready to play again the referee will blow the whistle toindicate the commencement of play and the game clock will begin. Teamsare allowed to use time stoppages as strategizing events. Each time thewhistle blows for a time stop; indicating a penalty, timeout or injuryeach team will have the opportunity to strategize during each time stopin a game. If there are too many or not enough players on the field 4when it is time for the game to start the team will be penalized. Duringthis time the guidelines for substitution will apply.

Tie score and overtime is dealt with in the following manner. In theevent of a tie game at the end of regulation time both teams will layovertime to determine the winner of the game between the two teams. Theteams will continue to change sides. If the teams have a tie score atthe end of overtime, then they will play a second overtime in order toend the game. After the second overtime if the teams remain tied theywill end the game with a tie.

When the game has ended the players must show the other team respect.Once time has expired in the game and there is a clear winner of thegame each team will respectfully line up to meet in the center of thecourt to shake each other's hand.

There are key terms and definitions that help to establish the utilityof the game of Centerball 2. The first warning refers to the first timethe incident or penalty takes place. In these incidents wherein awarning is given the referee blows the whistle to stop the game. Heopenly gives the warning. Then the referee proceeds to start the gameagain.

The second warning refers to the second time the incident or penaltytakes place. The referee stops the game and then gives the secondpenalty openly.

Man down refers to the time frame from one to four minutes where theteam has been penalized time with one less man down. Thus, the team thatis penalized will play for one to four minutes with one less man on thefield than they normally play with.

Five seconds one shot, one on one with the goalie refers to a penaltywhere the player who was fouled will get five seconds to take one shoton an empty field 4 against the goalie. In the case of this penalty theplayer will begin from the out of bounds line 22 at the end of the field4 and can move anywhere except the center circle 8 to set himself up inorder to shoot the ball.

Delay of game occurs when players are not on the field 4 and ready toplay at the start or restart-up of the game.

Double movement occurs when a player who has already moved with the ballmoves again.

Ejection occurs when a player is removed from the game due to theirconduct.

Flagrant foul occurs when a player commits a foul that insults a player,the fans, the referees and the integrity of the game. The flagrant foulsare put into three categories. A flagrant one is when a player commits ahard foul that results in a minor injury or when a player usesinappropriate language, such as cursing at another player, referee, fansor coaching staff. Flagrant two occurs when a player commits a secondflagrant foul or when a player gets into a fight. A flagrant three iswhen a player commits a third flagrant foul or when a playerintentionally harms another player to the point of medical treatment orwhen a player conducts their self in a reprehensible way, such asmooning the crowd.

Goal line 10 violation occurs when a player crosses the goal line 10with any part of their body during play.

Interference occurs when a player disrupts another player's ability toexecute any kind of movement during play.

Interruption occurs when a player or coach interrupts the flow of thegame during a time stop.

Illegal movement occurs when a player makes a move that has beendetermined to be against the rules.

Illegal move of a player, handler and goalie occurs to the type of movea player has made, in that it was against the rules.

Jump ball refers to the type of activity that needs to take place tosettle who will obtain possession of the ball. This takes place eitherat the beginning of the game, at the start of the second half, or whenplayers have obtained possession of the ball at the same time.

Loss of possession refers to when a player or team does something tocause them to forfeit possession of the ball. Loss of possession canoccur when a player puts the ball out of bounds 22 or when a player,whose team possesses the ball, commits a penalty which warrants loss ofpossession.

Out of bounds 22 refers to the ball crossing the out of bounds line 22.

Penalty refers to a disciplinary action formed to apply to those playersor coaches that take illegal action on and off the field 4 of play.

Personal foul occurs when a player commits a foul with intention.

Player against (player, handler and goalie) refers to the type ofinterference or foul that was committed, in that it indicates whocommitted the activity.

Scoring attempt refers to player attempt to score points with the ballby shooting the ball at the goal 10.

Team with possession signifies that the team being referenced haspossession of the ball.

Team without the ball signifies the team being referenced does not havethe ball.

Time violation occurs when a player or coach delays the game during atime stop or time out or prior to the start of the game or a half.

Too many men on the field 4 occurs when a player steps out onto thefield 4 as an active player.

Warning per half refers to a situation the referee will give the playerwho commits the foul a warning per half before dolling out the penalty.

Replacement refers to the player that will be replacing another playeron the field 4 of play.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of playing a game comprising: (i).providing an elongated playing court having a playing surface and havingtwo ends, two adjoining sides and a center lined circle, said circlehaving a center line parallel to said ends, and being equally divided inarea; there being two vertical poles, each located on said centerline ofsaid circle and each positioned opposing each other about ⅓ of thedistance inside said circle line a distance up to five feat; there beinga crossbar extending between said vertical poles a predetermineddistance from said playing surface; (ii). providing a ball; (iii). allowopposing teams to attempt to score a goal by putting the ball into thearea defined by said playing surface, said two opposing vertical poles,and said crossbar; (iv). tallying a score for each said team as goalsare made; (v). determining the highest tally over a predetermined periodof time, and therefrom, (vi). determining a winner of said game.